Dear Poll: Do You Ever Just Pretend to Listen?

If you’re even moderately well mannered, there’s probably been a time or two when you’ve listened to someone else recount a story or gripe over a personal issue that you had absolutely no interest in. In those moments, it’s often easier to just nod and smile then actually try to follow what they’re saying. It may not be the nicest thing to do, but it’s better than just completely ignoring someone so let me ask you: do you ever just pretend to listen?

At first, I always try. I used to be best friends with this girl a couple of us nicknamed the broken record. She would repeat the same stories every day, every hour, every minute. It was inescapable. There were never any new stories with her! However, I would still always try to get captivated, and when I would notice myself nodding off, I would start the nod and canned responses, "Ohh...," "Yeah, I know what you mean," "What the heck?" "Crazy..."

Yes, I always pretend to listen. Especially when people talk about electronics, cars, who they got numbers from. No thanks, not interested. But I'll pretend to be, and just nod. Throw in a few words every now and then to make it seem like I actually care what they are saying.

All the time!! My sister always comes into my room and wants to tell my things when I'm studying, so I just agree with whatever shes saying. I always end up getting distracted when someone calls me, I can only last about 5 minutes max.

oh yeah. Everyday all day. One of my co-workers talks about herself & her husband and their dog all day long. Seriously, all day. Pointless stories. And she goes on and on. Phone call? No problem, she picks up the story right where it left off. I just sit and nod and throw in a 'that's funny' very once in a while.

I have a tendency to do this all the time. I don't mean to do it, it just happens. Sometimes its at important times like when my boss is telling me to do something and then I'm like......OH Crap, what did he just say. Luckily I've always been able to ask a question or so that helps me remember exactly what he just said. : (
But I do it to my BF and Mom a lot too. They talk to much though.....

I have a tendency to do this all the time. I don't mean to do it, it just happens. Sometimes its at important times like when my boss is telling me to do something and then I'm like......OH Crap, what did he just say. Luckily I've always been able to ask a question or so that helps me remember exactly what he just said. : (But I do it to my BF and Mom a lot too. They talk to much though.....

Sometimes.And when I do and I know I just missed something I'll be honest and say something like "I'm sorry, can you repeat that last bit... I wasn't concentrating". Depending on who it is I'll come right out and say "Sorry you'll have to repeat that, I stopped listening"!!They do it with me too. There is a mutual understanding about it all.Sometimes you need to talk out loud to figure out your own problems, you don't actually need the person to respond!